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“We don't need clearer interpretation, but better application.” Rick Warren
January 10th, 2010
So are you up to date in your Bible reading? Last week I wrote about some basics when it comes to a Quiet Time and reading the Bible. It’s exciting that we have so many at Grace who have determined to read the Bible through this year and many others are determined to be faithful in having a daily time with the Lord. It’s easy though to begin a new habit with great enthusiasm and vigor, but then fall of the wagon.
They say that “confession is good for the soul,” (I’m not sure who “they” are but I’ll fess up). I fell off the wagon this past week when it came to my Bible reading. Monday afternoon, I was called out by the Police Department to minister to the family and emergency personnel that were seeking to rescue the little boy that fell in the river. When I finally got home, I was exhausted. Because of the stress and the emotional drainage, the next morning I found that I was still pretty wiped out...and I totally forgot to have my Quiet Time. I dragged myself and finally got myself involved in several tasks that were waiting. It wasn’t until the next morning that I realized that I had had a senior moment the day before. I doubled up and caught up, but I dropped the ball.
That’s going to happen to you too. Something is going to happen, you’re going to find that you are particularly busy, or you become preoccupied and you miss a day. Please don’t give up! Pick up where you left off. If that means that you need to lower the bar a bit, then do it. It would be better to be in God’s Word and spend time with the Lord every day consistently, even if it is just 15 minutes, than to strive for some spiritual marathon and give up...never to begin again. Even if it takes you two or three years to read the Bible through, that would be better than feeling guilty because you set your standard so high, it was impossible to keep.
Let me though share a four step process that I believe will help you make your daily Quiet Time with the Lord more effective.
1. Select A Specific Time. When’s the best time to have a daily quiet time? The best time to have a quiet time is when you’re AT YOUR BEST. We ought to give the best part of our day to God and not try to serve God with leftovers. Select a time when you’re most alert and give that time to God. For me, it’s in the morning. I find it the best time for me, because it’s when I have the most energy. It also is a time when I can be alone with the Father before I meet the challenges of the day. Yet, when I was on second and third shift in college, I found that evenings were better and I was more alert. Hudson Taylor said, “The best time to tune up your instrument is before you play the concert, not afterwards!” For some the best time may be later in the day. Whatever time you choose, make it your best time. And whatever time you set, Determine to be consistent! There are lots of distractions out there so come up with a plan and stick to it. 1 Timothy 4:7 says, “train yourself to be godly.”
2. Choose A Special Place. In Luke 22 we read that, Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives to pray. This was His consistent habit. Jesus had a special place that He went to. It was a habitual place. There’s really only one important factor that you need here. Solitude. You need to find a place where you can be alone with God. That may take some creativity given your lifestyle but find a place that’s special to you. It will become more special the more you spend time there. If you get a certain place like in your study at home or you’ve got a special table and chair and you read your Bible there every day, it’s going to become very special to you. Find a place where you can be alone with Him.
3. Gather The Resources You Need. Get a Bible with readable print. Some small Bibles are nice to carry with you, but I wouldn’t suggest that for a quiet time. Get one that you can see well, perhaps even with large print. You might also want a note pad to keep a spiritual journal, or just want to write love letters to God. Perhaps you want a song book to sing praises to Him. Have handy whatever resources you need that help you get closer to God and bring them to your special place.
4. Follow A Simple Plan. Don’t complicate your quiet time. Here’s a simple plan for 15 minutes with God. a) Relax. Quiet your heart. That takes about a minute. Be still. Be quiet. Slow down. Prepare your heart. Ask God for wisdom and insight for what you are about to read. Take two or three deep breaths. Relax. b) Read. Read a section of Scripture. Spend about five minutes just reading. c) Reflect. Take time to meditate on the Scripture you’ve just read. Think about what the passage means to your life and then maybe even write down your thoughts. If you read for about five minutes, and then you think about it for about five minutes. d) Request. This is your prayer time. Make your requests. Conclude your Quiet Time by talking to God about what He has shown you and making your requests from your prayer list. These steps should help you get started developing a Quiet Time with God.
But why should a believer have a Quiet Time with God? It’s one of the best ways to focus on God. How can we seek His Kingdom and righteousness without quality time focusing on Him (Matthew 6:33)? Then, God has a plan for your life. He created you and knows what is best for you. You must consistently spend time with Him to know His plans and direction for your life (Proverbs 3:5-6). It’s a way to commit your day to the Lord. Finally, it’s the best way to grow to be like Jesus. That’s God’s will for each believer, to be more and more like the Lord Jesus (Romans 12:1-2; 1 John 3:2).
Our Heavenly Father wants each of us to spend time with Him. Will you commit yourself to taking a few minutes – everyday – to set aside from your busy schedules to spend quality time with your Father?